Whether by patiently telling a drawn-out story, putting a surprising twist on a tired form, getting over on sheer force of personality, or being just gloriously messed up, these videos immediately jumped to the front of a very long line, demanded our attention, and stayed with us throughout the year.

With 1,400 bands playing on 60-odd stages over the course of five days-- and that's not even counting day parties and unofficial events-- the annual SXSW conference can feel a little overwhelming, so we separate some of the wheat from the chaff and offer tips for making the most out of the Austin experience.